Jeep® has launched two new special editions of its award-winning Grand Cherokee in the UK, with metallic paint, satellite-navigation and rear-park assist as standard. The all-new 2005 model Grand Cherokee will not be released in the U.K. until next spring, so these new models are being offered to help maintain interest throughout the remainder of the 2004 model year.

The top-of-the-range Grand Cherokee Platinum is based on the Overland model and the Limited XS on the Limited. The entry-level Grand Cherokee Sport completes the line-up, with prices starting from £24,995 ($44,788.70 U.S.)

Simon Elliott, Managing Director of Chrysler and Jeep in the UK, said: "The Grand Cherokee, which achieved this year’s ‘World’s best off-roader’ award from 4x4 magazine, offers outstanding four-wheel drive capability, which you can use either off-road or in every day driving conditions. These two new special editions make the Grand Cherokee even better value for money, with rear park assist and sat-nav as standard."

2.7-litre Common Rail Diesel engine

Producing 161bhp of power at 4000rpm and a generous 295 lb ft of torque over a range of between 1800 rpm and 2600 rpm, the CRD engine is derived from DaimlerChrysler’s OM612 engine.

Manufactured in Untertuerkheim-Stuttgart in Germany, the 2.7-litre engine features double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a variable geometry turbocharger and is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox.

The engine provides Grand Cherokee 2.7 CRD with a top speed of 118 mph and acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in just 11.2 seconds. Fuel consumption of the Grand Cherokee 2.7 CRD is 29.1 mpg on the combined cycle.

4.0-Litre petrol engine

The 4.0-Litre petrol engine is available on the Sport model. The six cylinder unit produces 188bhp and 218 lb ft of torque. It achieves a top speed of 112 mph and 0-62 mph in 10.9 seconds.

4.7-litre V8 and 4.7-litre V8 HO petrol engine

On Grand Cherokee Limited XS a 4.7 V8 engine is available, producing 224 bhp and a generous 287 lb ft of torque. The Grand Cherokee Platinum is available with a high output version of the Jeep 4.7-litre V8 petrol engine.

Producing 255 bhp – 14 per cent more power than the highly-acclaimed standard 4.7-litre V8 – and 309 lb ft torque – the High Output engine provides the Grand Cherokee Platinum with a top speed of 128 mph. This compares with the 124 mph top speed of the standard 4.7-litre V8.

Both the 4.7-litre and 4.7-litre HO engines are mated to the Jeep five-speed automatic transmission. This transmission provides an overdrive gear for increased highway fuel economy and reduced engine noise at highway speeds.

Platinum accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 8.3 seconds, compared with 9.0 seconds on the standard 4.7-litre Grand Cherokee.

To produce the extra power and torque on the High Output engine, Jeep engineers in the Chrysler Group’s Powertrain Platform Team began by adding symmetric pop-up-style pistons to the standard Grand Cherokee 4.7-litre PowerTech V8 petrol engine, raising its compression ratio. Next, they modified and fine-tuned the cylinder heads, connecting rods, crankshaft and intake manifold. Stereo knock sensors were also added. The engine is built at the Chrysler Group’s Mack Avenue Engine Plant in Detroit, Michigan.

OFF-ROAD SYSTEMS

Quadra-Trac II is standard on Sport and diesel Limited XS versions. This system primarily directs the engine’s power to the rear wheels, but when sensors detect a difference in speed between the front and rear wheels, the system ensures that the axle with the most grip receives the most power. This allows the wheels to maintain maximum traction and the driver to keep control at all times.

The Quadra-Drive® four-wheel drive system on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a combination of the second generation Quadra-Trac II transfer case and Vari-Lok progressive front and rear axle differentials. This system has the ability to keep Grand Cherokee going even if only one wheel has traction.

“Quadra-Drive® is an innovative concept in four-wheel drive systems,” said David Van Raaphorst, Executive Engineer – Powertrain, Chrysler Group. “This patented system provides outstanding response and traction under all driving conditions – both on- and off-road – without the driver having to shift any levers or push any buttons.

“It also improves handling stability in wet weather and on slippery roads by making maximum use of available traction during acceleration,” said Van Raaphorst.

Under normal driving conditions, the Quadra-Trac II transfer case delivers most of the power to the rear wheels. The moment a wheel loses traction, a speed variation occurs between the front and rear axle causing a gerotor pump to apply hydraulic pressure to a multi-disc clutch-pack sending power to the front axle. This system allows the vehicle to maintain traction and control seamlessly and within a fraction of a second.

As in all Jeep vehicles, the Quadra-Trac II transfer case includes a low range for off-road operation. Selecting low range gives a torque multiplication ratio of 2.72.

Incorporating a speed-sensing torque transfer front differential, Vari-Lok provides a major improvement in wheel traction compared to other four-wheel drive systems. Under conditions in which opposite wheels are on surfaces with widely different friction characteristics, Vari-Lok delivers far more torque to the wheel on the higher traction surface than is possible with conventional limited-slip systems.

The gerotor pump incorporated in the Vari-Lok differential is conceptually the same as that used in the Quadra-Trac II transfer case. Its operation is virtually undetectable by the driver, but the Grand Cherokee's ability to maintain headway and control under low-traction conditions, both on- and off-road is very evident.

Power transfer in a Vari-Lok differential is proportional to wheel speed difference rather than torque difference as is typical in most mechanical limited-slip systems.

"Four-wheel drive leadership through off-road capability is a hallmark of every Jeep vehicle," said Thomas Hausch, Executive Director – International Sales & Marketing, Chrysler Group. "The Grand Cherokee retains its unsurpassed off-road capabilities. This has been proven on the Rubicon Trail through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, arguably one of the toughest challenges for any 4x4 vehicle."

SUSPENSION

Grand Cherokee’s three-link rear suspension and refined front suspension with Quadra-Coil™ offers a more stable, car-like feel with a smooth ride and reduced body lean, while enhancing its off-road capability. This suspension employs a live axle front and rear, along with Quadra-Link leading arms at the front, a stabiliser bar and gas-charged shock absorbers to limit body roll.

The steering system, with repositioned linkages for better steering feel and response throughout all speed ranges, improves on-centre feel. The proven recirculating-ball power steering system has a steering gear that gives the driver a car-like "rack-and-pinion feel", comparable to sport saloons.

On-road performance is aided by an efficient Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) working on ventilated discs at the front with solid discs at the rear. Integrating this anti-lock braking system with electronic brake distribution (EBD) provides quieter operation, less pedal pulsation, reduced fade and improved front/rear balance.

Standard multi-stage driver and passenger front airbags are designed to deploy at different levels depending on the severity of the impact and whether the occupant is wearing a seatbelt.

Passenger safety on all Grand Cherokees is further enhanced with standard ceiling-mounted side curtain airbags to provide head protection for both front and rear outboard occupants in the event of a side collision.

Grand Cherokee Limited XS and Platinum also have a rain sensitive windshield wiper system, utilising a rain sensor attached to the windshield. When the front windshield wiper control is turned to "AUTO", the wiper system automatically activates when it rains. There are five automatic positions on the lever to allow drivers to select the most suitable system sensitivity.